Olmurrani Ultra

100 mile race finishing at Tanzania's most incredible Volcano crater Ngorongoro, you will be competing against Maasai warriors as well as heat humidity and the elevation...

http://olmurrani.com

Northeast Greenland Caves Project

We are crowdfunding to try and raise the remaining funds that are needed for this climate-research expedition. Please visit http://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/northeast-greenland-caves-project to support this highly-important work! During the summer of 2015, a highly-motivated 5-person British team will aim to visit the Arctic Circle to explore, survey, photograph, and sample caves of Northeast Greenland for the purpose of climate-change research.

This much-needed record of past climate change will be the first of its type from caves of Greenland, and will contribute significantly to our understanding of long-term climate change in Greenland and the Arctic by covering a time period that is out-of-range of the Greenland ice cores. We have been working hard to put a crowd funding project together that will go live very soon. Keep checking back here for updates about the crowdfunder and the project. The Science The main aim of our project is to obtain the first record of past climate change from Greenland caves. This important record will provide information about a past period of warm climate, and will be older than the current limit of the Greenland ice cores, thus contributing significantly to our understanding of long-term climate change in Greenland and the Arctic. Why is there a need for past climate-change records? The Earths climate is changing. How will it develop in the future? What will be the effects on environmental, ecological, and socio-economic systems?

These are simply a couple of questions related to the changes that the Earth system is about to face. In order to help us answer them, we look to the past. Records of past climate change hold useful information regarding the Earths natural climatic response; they help us understand how the Earth system has changed on timescales longer than short instrumental records; they enable us to document changes from one climate state to another; they provide a baseline against which we can assess whether or not the current changes are unusual, and; their information can be fed into predictive climate-change models. One way of trying to understand what scenarios are possible in a future warming climate, is to look at past periods of warm climate known as interglacials. The last interglacial period took place about 130,000 to 118,000 years ago, and during this time air temperature in Greenland was about 3-5C higher than today. Deep ice core climate records drilled from the Greenland ice sheet extend back continuously 123,000 years, to the final stages of the last interglacial (NGRIP core). The NEEM ice core extends back 128,500 years, to the early stages of the last interglacial, but the basal ice is folded and incomplete making interpretation difficult. The need for information about climate dynamics during past interglacial's is thus still a major, and increasingly important concern. How will this project advance our knowledge of climate change? Using cave deposits in Northeast Greenland, we have an opportunity here to improve our knowledge of climate dynamics during a past interglacial.

The cave record will most certainly cover a time period that pre-dates the last interglacial and hence the oldest limits of the Greenland ice-core records. Water drips onto a stalagmite containing information related to temperature, moisture, and vegetation processes above the cave. Calcite cave deposits are formed from drip waters that have percolated from the surface, through soil and limestone, and into a cave. Since the drip waters were once connected with the atmosphere and soil above the cave, they contain valuable information related to temperature, moisture, and vegetation processes, which are then locked layer upon layer into the cave deposit. An analytical track passes through the stalagmite. The climate record is created by analysing the chemical signature of each layer. For high-resolution studies, the Innsbruck Quaternary Research Group typically analyses between 4-10 samples per millimetre, allowing us the greatest chance of capturing rapid climate change events in our record. Understanding how fast the climate is capable of changing from one state to another is currently one of the key questions that climate-change scientists are working to answer.

The Expedition - Hopefully, all being well with the organisation, logistics, and finances, our expedition will take place during the summer of 2015. Thanks to Clive Johnson, polar explorer and winner of the Polar Medal (2001), we have a fabulous plan in place for undertaking the expedition and maximising research whilst we are there. We intend to land on a small air strip in Northeast Greenland, close to the southwestern end of a c.10 km wide lake. From here, we shall cross the lake in an inflatable boat to the eastern shore where we will set up our main base camp. In order to reach the caves containing the deposits of interest, we will then trek over difficult shattered terrain for three days. Once our work sampling deposits is complete, we will retrace our steps back to base camp and across the lake, searching all the time for new previously undiscovered caves. Our main objective will be to sample cave deposits for use in construction of the first record of past climate change from Greenland that is older than the current limit of the ice cores. Scientific partner Prof.

Christoph Sptl of the Innsbruck Quaternary Research Group, has pioneered a method for sampling cave deposits that causes minimal damage, and it is this method that we shall adopt during the course of our expedition. In addition to sampling deposits, all caves will be surveyed and photographed to a high standard. During our expedition, Project Leader Gina Moseley will lead the scientific assault, Clive Johnson will act as the local expert and guide, Robbie Shone will document the story of the expedition and in particular any new discoveries, Mark Wright and Chris Blakeley will offer support and technical caving expertise, particularly with regard to entering caves located in cliff faces. 

Carstensz Pyramid Expedition - December 2014

Hi, A great opportunity to join a team this December to climb Carstenz Pryamid, the highest mountain in Oceania, and one of the Seven Summits. This professionally led expedition is run by Denny Engka of www.carstensz-Pryramid.com, a highly experienced guide on CP and personally recommended by friends who have used his services before, with a high summit success rate. The expedition avoids the commercial setup and overheads, reducing typical advertised costs from international operators.

You'll be joining two experienced UK mountaineers - myself who has already successfully climbed 4 of the Seven Summits. Looking for experienced team mates to join a fantastic mountain adventure.

Thanks,

Pete 

Live Free, Big Dreams

Why are we cycling across the world? On one of our first dates Chris asked me if I had ever thought about doing a long distance ride. It turned out he was thinking of L-E-L or similar, so when I said Id love to cycle back to Perth along the Silk Road one day he was intrigued with the idea. We didnt talk seriously about doing it, but a couple of months later he bought me a pass for the Adventure and Expedition Planning Expo at Earls Court which we went along to and spoke to a few adventure professionals about our idea.

As it turns out, the idea is far from original, but it was encouraging that in this day and age people are still travelling safely through Central Asia and it hasn't all succumbed to wars and terrorists. We continued to talk about it on and off but never with real conviction. I guess neither of us were certain the other really wanted to do it, or that it was a good time to do it, or whether it was even a good idea anyway. Then this Easter we drove to Amsterdam. Easter traffic turned a four hour drive into seven and by the time we arrived at our camp site we had committed to a September departure and that night we got engaged! I bought the Cycle Touring Handbook as soon as we got home and we started planning. It didnt take long to realise there is a lot to think about! So many countries, so many climates, so many bike options! We decided to play to our strengths so Chris has the responsibility of bikes and gear and I am planning our route and getting the visas.

The reason we need so many visas in advance is because we want to cycle the Pamir Highway. This is described brilliantly in our Handbook as being a high altitude adventure that is like the Karakorum Highway on steroids. My favourite sentence of the whole book! Obviously I want to do this if nothing else. I suspect Chris still hasn't clocked on to what hes getting into but he will! To describe it, the Pamir Highway is a 1,200km road in Tajikistan which climbs and winds its way through the Pamir Ranges. The Pamir Ranges being a knot of 7,000m peaks which extend into the Himalayas of Tibet and Nepal, the Karakorum of Pakistan, the Hindu Kush of Afghanistan, the Tian Shan of Krygystan and the Kunlun Ranges of China. A lot of the road is above 4,000m, some of it is unsealed, all of it is remote and it culminates with huge descents into Krygystan which appear to be at least partly unsealed and without crash guards to keep you from falling off the edge. Armed with this knowledge it is important, I think, that we get there before the Northern Hemisphere winter really takes hold of the region which apparently happens in November.

We have therefore changed our departure time to as early as possible which is 17 August. We don't want to wait for a week at a time in big cities for visas but rather enjoy our exploration across Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, a corner of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan before, if all goes to plan, reaching the border of Tajikistan and the Pamir Highway on 8 October."

Mystery Adventure

7 days in a strange place with one team member and a video camera. Make it interesting! Looking to put 5 pairs together and send them on an adventure to different mystery places. Think like the Heineken Beer commercials where people play air-plane roulette.

Once there you have 7 days to make it a great experience and film it all. We will then take the combined films and create a documentary. You have to pay your own way but everyone will share in the profits of the film (if any). My brother and I have been doing planned adventures like this the past 10 years and want to add this mystery twist.

Planning for August, 2015

Expedition 720 degree's

The Mission 29 year old Angelo Wilkie-Pages mission is to become the first person to circumnavigate the globe from East to West and Pole to Pole, crossing all major lines of latitude and longitude, using only human power, i.e. no motors, no sails, no solar.

This journey will take a period of 6 years, and will be a first of its kind - the holy grail of human powered circumnavigation. Not only will this be the ultimate test of human endurance and will-power, further- more Wilkie-Page will be using this non-profit experience as a platform for numerous grass-roots initiatives that will raise global awareness on important environmental issues. The Purpose Expedition 720 Affiliated With Heifer International At Expedition 720, we have joined forces with Heifer International South Africa because of their exemplary vision and reach around the world. We aim to join as many of the various Heifer International projects en-route, around the world as possible, thereby taking an active step in contributing to their global vision of alleviating poverty and hunger. Heifer not only provides needy families and communities with skills and resources to better their own lives, but also instils a sense of community and accountability with its Passing the Gift charity model.

This unparalleled grass-roots level of involvement simultaneously inspires change while tangibly making a difference in the lives of all those it touches, principles we at Expedition 720 share. The Outcomes During Expedition 720, one of our primary aims is to promote project awareness for Heifer International South Africa, simultaneously raising funds for their various rural development initiatives around South Africa. We will achieve this by working extensively with corporate and private sponsorships on a national and international level, as well as constant updates and publicity maintenance via prominent social media including Twitter, Facebook, Youtube, blogging and live video correspondence. While setting out to achieve a true world first, and in doing so break 4 Guinness World Records, Expedition 720 aims to improve the quality of life in impoverished communities, thereby making the world a better place, one kilometre at a time. Through integrating the singular skills and expertise of specialists in the field of endurance exploration and adventure, Expedition 720 will be able to cultivate this unprecedented challenge of human strength and determination. Furthermore, we will endeavour to consistently demonstrate our vision of minimal consumption and environmental impact, in accordance with our ideals here at Expedition 720. The Route The Route is broken up into 2 parts, the first part is the traditional East to West circumnavigation and the second part the ultimate challenge: the Pole to Pole circumnavigation. Each part will be broken up into 4 separate legs. Angelo will be crossing all lines of longitude and latitude, 4 Antipodal points and cross the equator at 4 separate points, as specified by the The Guinness World Records and Explorers Web regulations. This expedition will be an attempt to break 4 of the current world records. Records Attempts To break the current world record for East to West Human Powered Circumnavigation, set by Erden Eruc over 5 years. To be the first to complete a Pole to Pole circumnavigation, crossing 4 antipodal points and 4 Equator crossings.

Be the first person to complete both East to West and Pole-to Pole circumnavigations all under human power. A Few Facts Expedition 720 will take place on 7 continents Across more than 48 countries A total distance of around 115 000 kilometres Row and paddle 4 oceans and 9 Seas Cross 6 deserts including 5 of the worlds biggest deserts The First Leg The First Leg will start in Los Angeles, California on the 15th of June 2014. It will be a 5650 km cycle taking Angelo up the West coast of North America via San Francsico, Portland, and Seattle. Crossing the border into Canada via the city of Vancouver and entering into the beautiful nature reserves of British Columbia, Wilkie-Page will then enter the Yukon towards Whitehorse and finally into Alaska and finishing off in Anchorage. Some of the challenges Angelo will face on the first leg include trucks and cars. Along the first leg, Wilkie-Page has designed the route to avoid most primary roads which only allow transport by car and truck.

While using roads with motor-transport will be unavoidable in instances where these roads are the only option, the vast majority of movement will be cycled using secondary and Jeep roads.. Angelo will face extreme temperatures in Canada and Alaska as low as minus 20C, as one can see on the chart on the right. Brown Bears, Black Bears, and Polar Bears will also be of concern in British Columbia in Canada as well as in Alaska. With regards to the vital element of communication, Wilkie-Page will be equipped with the V3 Professional Yellowbrick tracking system and two-way messenger device, which uses the Iridium Satellite network to transmit its location from anywhere in the world, including both poles. This will allow Expedition 720s followers access to live tracking via the Yellowbrick website, Expedition 720 web-page and selected social media sites. The tracker will send hourly updates, showing location and blog updates. 

SES Explorer Awards 2015

THE SES EXPLORER AWARDS 2015 We are looking for PIONEERS WITH PURPOSE, leading expeditions which are adventurous and inspiring.

Visit www.ses-explore.org/awards for details of Awards from 1,000 - 8,500 available across criteria including Entrepreneurs - Film Makers - Health Humanities - Inspiration- Sustainability and Natural Practices

Land Rover Bursary 2015

The Land Rover Bursary, run by the Royal Geographical Society (with IBG) on behalf of Land Rover, offers up to 30,000 and the use of a 110 Defender vehicle to take on a challenging journey beyond your normal limits and boundaries.

The award is open to teams between 2 and 4 people, embarking on an adventurous journey anywhere in the world, for which a Land Rover Defender 110 is an integral part of the expedition.

For more information visit www.rgs.org/landroverbursary Deadline for applications is 30 November 2014. "

EC Lake District Escape: 7-9th November

Location is everything this weekend. Our mountain lodge is remote, located several miles from the closest road and surrounded by the peaks of Great Gable and Kirk FellConverted from a former shepherds bothy our lodge has just had a make-over, so its fresh and clean but retains the rustic charm that makes it the most sought after hut in the Lakes. There are only 14 spaces on this weekend so be quick as this is bound to be oversubscribed.The weekend will start on Friday afternoon / evening. We will meet you and walk into the lodge together. With no road access for several miles in any direction, bring a rucksack and pack light as you will carry everything in for the weekend. Don't worry we will help you with this, we can lend you a rucksack and advise on what to bring (and what not to bring)Expect a weekend away from the modern world, out of the reach of traffic, phones and internet and staying in an off grid location powered by renewable energy.We will spend Saturday and Sunday exploring the area on foot. Within easy reach are the famous peaks of Great and Green Gable, High Stile, Pillar and Kirk Fell. Nearby Haystacks gives views over picturesque Buttermere, or we could cross the dramatic Honister Pass to Dale Head giving views over the Newlands Valley and Derwent Water.There are also some classic climbing routes near the lodge including Pillar Rock and Napes Needle (NB these will be self guided)If you've never come on an EC Adventure before, they're informal, friendly and great fun. We generally have singles, couples and small sets of friends coming along, from complete beginners to adventure professionals - what we all share is a love for adventure. Ages tend to range between mid 20s and mid 40s but anyone over 18years old and young at heart is welcome.